Gambling Age In Côte dIvoire

Minimum Age: 21

Details and Explanation

Legal Age Requirement: In Côte d'Ivoire, the minimum legal age for gambling is 21, as per the Gambling Law 2019, enforced to protect minors and align with regional standards. The age requirement is strictly upheld in urban casinos.

Offline / Land-Based Gambling: Land-based gambling is legal, with one casino in Abidjan (Casino du Sofitel) offering around 150 slots and table games, aligning with your interest in game catalogs. The state-run LONACI offers lotteries and sports betting, requiring ID checks for the 21-year-old age limit. The market, valued at XOF 30 billion annually, supports tourism and urban economies. Gambling enjoys cultural acceptance, tied to Côte d'Ivoire’s economic hub status.

Online Gambling: Online gambling is unregulated, with no local licensing framework. Offshore sites, accessed via mobile browsers, contribute to a $15 million unregulated market in 2024, aligning with your interest in smartphone platforms. Players face risks without legal protections, similar to unregulated markets you’ve explored. No website blocking occurs, but 2024 saw proposals for digital taxation.

Regulation and Oversight: The Ministry of Economy and Finance oversees gambling, with LONACI managing lotteries. Côte d'Ivoire’s framework, less rigorous than Kahnawake’s, supports a $50 million gambling economy, with 2024 reforms (10% tax on operators) funding infrastructure. The sector’s growth is driven by soccer betting, popular among urban youth.

Enforcement and Penalties: Côte d'Ivoire enforces regulations moderately, with challenges in rural areas. Operators face fines up to XOF 10 million for violations like underage gambling, while players face fines up to XOF 200,000. Online enforcement is minimal, with the market projected to grow 6% in 2025, driven by mobile penetration and economic recovery.